L3 Both Sources B and C are similar in terms of the reasons why couples are deterred from having children. Both sources tell us that a lack of time and cost are factors that discourage couples from having children. This is evident from ‘We simply cannot afford to take time out to have more babies’ and ‘How do they expect us to afford to have more kids?’ in Source B and ‘it is very expensive and time-consuming to bring up a child in Singapore’ in Source C

Both Sources B and C tell us that the government is trying to increase the birth rates. This is evident from ‘ministers (are) encouraging us to have more children’ in Source B and ‘The government is also coming up with many new baby incentive packages to help us out’ in Source C.

Both Sources B and C tell us of the difficulties in having children. Both sources tell us that it is not easy to raise children. This is evident from Source B which says ‘It is not easy to juggle family and career, not any more, anyway’ while Source C says ‘it is very expensive and time-consuming to bring up a child in Singapore’ L3

L4 The sources differ in terms of the response to the government’s call to have more children. Source B tells us that the government is ineffective in encouraging Singaporeans to have more babies while Source C tells us that it has succeeded in encouraging Singaporeans to have more babies. This is evident from ‘ministers (are) encouraging us to have more children. We simply cannot afford to take time out to have more babies’ in Source B and ‘The government is also coming up with many new baby incentive packages to help us out. I know many friends who are also considering having more children because of these incentives’ in Source C.

Both sources differ in their tone. Source B has a negative tone where it criticizes the policies while Source C has a positive tone which applauds the policies. (Give evidence) L4

L5 L5 + Source B reveals the person’s dissatisfaction. The Singaporean aims to persuade the government to do more to help if it wants to increase the birth rates. The purpose of Source C meanwhile is to express that the government has done enough and to encourage Singaporeans to support the government’s call to have more children.

This source is useful in telling us that the efforts to increase birth in Singapore is a difficult one. This is evident from the ex-Prime Minister struggling to break open a pipe which represents the birth rates in Singapore as evident from the word ‘Fertility’ written on it. He is doing so with the aid of a sledgehammer which has the words ‘Baby Bonus’ on it which represents the incentives. Despite this, he seems to be facing resistance as evident from the physical exertion and beads of perspiration on his face L4

L5 However, it is limited in its usefulness because it does not tell us the reasons behind why the government has the difficulty. This is evident in Source B which states that the government has not done enough to help them. (State evidence).

L6 Though this source has its limitations, it is reliable because it is supported by Source A which shows a couple sleeping even though there is a carrot being dangled in front of them. This implies that the efforts are ineffective. Also from what I have learnt, the government is having difficulty encouraging the people to have children because many are concerned with the cost of raising children.